The Early Life of Jack Louis Rushton
By Donna Rushton Leavitt (his sister)
Jack Louis Rushton was born of goodly parents, the 6th child and fifth son of Fredrick John Rushton and Annie Francis Mattinson December, 1908 in Salt Lake City, Utah, 26th Ward, Pioneer Stake in a new home built by his Father (a brick Mason by trade.)
Fred Rushton and Annie were very devoted to one another and to their children, each child being welcomed into the home. So it was a happy occasion to have a new baby son and brother to love and care for.
The family had only been in the home a year at the time. It was nicely furnished with lovely new furniture. The House was modern for that day. Papa built 3 different homes in that same ward each very comfortable and nice home. Mother was kind and loving to all, a wonderful wife and mother as well as a food homemaker and housekeeper. Friends were always welcome in their home as that is the way they were raised.
Our grandparents (Mattinsons) could always make room for friends and family whenever the need arose. There was always family prayer in that home. Likewise our parents taught us to pray and we always had family prayer. Aunt Veatus Mattinson used to be embarrassed because grandpa had prayer no matter how many friends she had visiting, but it was the same. Later in life she mentioned how grateful she was for those prayers at home and wished her husband was as dedicated to prayer as her parents had been.
Papa was superintendent of the 26th ward Sunday School for several years before moving away. In his early married life he worked in the mine in Mamoth, Utah and other places. He later went to work for a brother-in-lay Hyrum Evans and learned the bricklaying trade, which also took him to different places. He spent 6 months in San Salvador when Harold was a baby. When he came home he brought beautiful sea shells a hammock made by the natives and brought mother a beautiful watch. Papa always worked hard to provide for his family.
In about 1906 a group of Salt Lake City business men bought a large tract of land in the Moapa Valley Nevada. They formed a Stock Company with the name Moapa Fruitland Company. The plan was to sell each purchaser 10 acres. There was a slogan which read “take care of 10 acres in Clark County and 10 acres in Clark County will take care of you.” Among the first group of settlers to come to Moapa Fruitland Co. was a group from Salt Lake City.
Papa sold his home in Salt Lake City, took his wife and six children and along with 4 other families and several single men traveled by train to Moapa with their worldly good to start a new and different life in a new state. This place was later called Capalapa. It was a real hardship for mother and the other women to move from the city where they had always lived to their new farming area. They lived in boarded up tents until the homes were built. Papa bought stock in the Co. and had charge of the entire ranch for some time and was paid a salary. Mothers furniture was stored in and extra tent until completion of the house which was a nice frame building well-built and still standing in good condition being lived in.
We’d bought cows to go into the dairy business along with raising cantaloupes and other crops
The first year one of the young men who came with our group taught school in a tent, part of the time out in the open. He taught all grades. Sam Pixton, the teacher, later used to court a lovely girl Nellie Frampton and whom Jack used to sing about. “You don’t know Nellie like I do said the saucy little bird on Nellies hat” Only he would sing “You don’t know Nellie like Sam do. (I’m sure he had heard some of the older boys sing it.)
As soon as we were established in our home papa started a Sunday School. Mamma had a nice piano and a beautiful contralto voice. She used to sing and play. So she played the music in Sunday School. The Lewis girls, the 3 oldest girls had taught in Sunday School in Salt Lake in the 26th ward so they taught classes. We went to Overton to Sacrament meeting with team and buggy Where ever we moved which was quite a number of times papa saw that we had a Sunday School if it had to be in our home. I have pleasant memories of those times. Mamma and I used to sing together. I could sing the alto even at that age and Mamma and Merritt used to sing “Laddie Come to My Side Tonight”. I was just seven years old a month after we entered the valley and Jack was just 2 months old.
One year later Jan. 1910 came a huge flood which played havoc with the land that had been prepared for crops. Papa was raising pigs and in this flood 110 little pigs were washed away causing quite a soss. The old mother pigs managed to escape drowning, went down stream but after the water receded came back. I remember the day before the flood Mrs. Thomas of Logandale phoned Mamma and said, “You people at Capalapa better go to the hills a big flood is coming down the Meadow Valley Wash.”
Mamma didn't know what to do as papa had gone to Moapa where we did our shopping for groceries etc. It was only 10 miles but was an all day trip with a team and wagon. It wasn't long however until mamma heard him drive up to the house and say whoa to the team. She said, “All is well now papa is home,” that seemed to be the way she depended on him.
Papa had gone through the wash in the late afternoon and not a drop of water was there so he wasn't excited about it. About four a.m. he was awakened by the rush of water over the paved walk in front of the house. He dressed, punt on his hip boots and rushed to the corrals which were quite a distance from the house and closer to the river so the water was pretty deep. The little pigs were standing on their hind legs against the fence. They were trying to keep their heads out of water. Papa cut the wire thinking they might have a better chance to survive, but to no avail. Chickens were on the haystack. It was sad to see these new homes surrounded with water and some families still in tents. The flood only lacked on inch of coming in the houses so we felt grateful for that. Clay got on a horse and brought Sister Wenig and children one at a time over to our house. I remember how she stood looking out of the window expecting to see their tent go at any minute
The second year on the valley, we children rode to Overton 7 miles to school on horseback. I rode behind Clay and Merritt and Harold rode the other horse. Harold was only six and in the first grade. The first day as we got ready to leave mamma kissed us all good bye and cried a few tears to see us go so far to school an especially her little first grader.
In the spring after the flood several men left the Ranch and went back to Salt Lake or to their ranches. Papa was manager and didn't leave until the spring of 1911. The year Ferrell was born on Jan. 21st. Mable Leavitt came to work for mamma at that time and they became quite fond of each other. I remember how they used to laugh and seemed to enjoy being together. They never dreamed that one day Mabel would play such an important part in our lives.
Papa was replaced on the ranch by Oren Jarice who later became close friends of the family. Mother and we children spent that summer in Payson with grandma and grandpa Mattinson. It was a joyful summer for all of us. I guess grandma was overwhelmed with such a bunch, but as I mentioned before she always made boom for one more and especially for her family. Mother’s sisters and families came to see her that summer. There was so much love between them. They shed tears of joy to see each other and cried again when they parted. I wondered why they cried but I realize now W cousins always had so much fun at grandmas. They had and old covered wagon that grandpa used to take produce from the garden to sell up in Eureka. The old well where we drew the water cool and fresh was a curiosity to us. How we all enjoyed grandma’s good meals from her garden , her delicious currant jelly, and fruit from their trees and vines.
In August we moved back to Moapa Valley on the old Bowman Ranch in the upper end of the Valley in Logandale. This ranch was purchased for $13,000 a big price for those days. It was called the Moapa Farm and Orchard. Papa worked for the company for several years at a salary. Later he leased the ranch for a fixed sum per year. There was a splendid peach and apricot orchard on the place. Hay and grain were raised also. Papa had dairy cows and fine horses. The boys all had their chores to do as they were growing up. We always had a good garden.
Now to get back to the subject of this story. Jack was three years old when Ferrill was born and Ferrill was just one year old when mamma was called home Feb. 8, 1921 leaving a sad husband and little family. It was a sad day for all.
Jack was a happy active little boy, loved by all the family and the many people who worked on the ranch. We always had hired men and a hired girl. There was lots of work on the ranch and especially during cantaloupe season and harvest time.
Thirza Leavitt was working for us when mamma passed away. The girls always seemed to love her.
I remember Jack having the croup real bad several times, but one night he was so bad he was gasping for breath. Papa administered to him. After we gave him a teaspoon of sugar wet with Kerosene almost immediately he threw up all the heavy phlegm and was relieved. One day he was playing out under the cantaloupe shed and had found some matches and was going to burn some leaves. He started a fire under those dry cantaloupe crates. It burned fast he went to the house frightened and went to bed not saying a word. Before the fire was discovered by Thiraz and Mrs. Pearce the shed and granary where precious belongings were stored was all in flames. They managed to pull a new white top buggy from under a shed on the opposite side and saved it.
The first summer after mother died our folks in Salt Lake wanted papa to send me and the two little boys, Jack and Ferrill to them so they could look after us during the hot summer. Papa couldn't take us at such a busy season so Thirza Leavitt planned to take us, but changed her mind. So we were ready to go and Papa took us to Moapa and put us on the train in the evening and we were scheduled to reach S.L.C. at 6:30 am the next morning. We were in the Pullman car and papa paid the Porter and asked him to take care of us. At Caliente a new Porter took over, not so nice as the first one. When we reached Rocks a railroad station house the train stopped as there were two freight cars tipped over on the track ahead. We had to wait until they were removed.
It was a hot night. We had two berths but Ferrill couldn't sleep unless I fanned him. Jack was a good little helper and felt sorry for his baby brother. As long as I fanned he was ok., but as soon as I would stop he would cry. The old Porter told me if the baby didn't stop crying, we would have to go in another coach. Of course I was frightened but two dear ladies took turns helping fan the baby and were real put out to think the porter would talk like that to a ten year old. The net morning we were all told to go to the dining car for breakfast. (they had to feed the passengers) So I took the two babies, had quite a time, the colored cooks and waitresses had a ball with Jack talking to him. They thought he was so cute and friendly. When we went back to our seats through several cars Jack disappeared he ran back to talk to the cook again. They were really having fun with him. The conductor told me if it would be easier for me he would have our meals brought to us. This was a blessing to me. We finally got on our way and arrived in Salt Lake City at midnight. I was having nervous chills worrying for fear there wouldn't be anyone to meet us. There was a doctor and his wife on the train who were real kind to us. When they saw how nervous I was they took over and said, “now don’t worry one minute if you grandmother isn't here to meet you we will see that you are taken care of. I had my aunts address but when the train pulled to a stop at the S.L. deport there stood my dear little grandmother Rushton and two cousins Luella and Edna Linck. They took us home to Minnie Lincks where grandma was staying at that time. We were in Salt Lake for two weeks then mamma's sister Minnie Barnett of Ogden came for us. She just had one daughter and she was near my age. Aunt Minnie and mamma had always been real close. We stayed in Ogden until October Conference. They treated us lovingly and we enjoyed our stay. I went to school about 6 weeks in Ogden before papa came to take us home. Jack was happy to see papa and go back home to the family. Ferrill stayed with the Barnetts until the following April Conference. Aunt Minnie would love to have kept him. They had grown so attached to him. She said “Fred I would hate you should you give one of your children away but I would love to keep this baby.”
Papa and Mabel Leavitt were married Oct 1 1913, one year and 8 months after mamma's death. He had gone out with other ladies and we as kids didn't like it, but we had known Mabel for a long time and felt better about him marrying her.
She was a brave girl to marry a man 18 years her senior and a family of 7 children. I’m sure she had many heart aches which she kept to herself and sometimes the older boys treated her badly for which they truly repented and have told her how sorry they were. We all have so much love for her. She has been a great strength in our lives.
Mabel as was mentioned before worked for mamma when Ferrill was born and later came to work for the winter. We moved into the new frame house on the Bowman Ranch, which was under construction at the time of mamma's death. Aunt Veatus Mattinson was with us that winter also for a couple of months.
Orson Leavitt brother to Aunt Mabel worked on the ranch, loved children and always made a fuss over Jack. He would take him with him when he rode on the plow or on the horse, almost everywhere he went. When he went home for Christmas he asked permission to take Jack with him for a few days. Papa reluctantly let him go knowing he would get good care.
When Jack was about 6 years old he always wanted to go with the older boys and do what they did. One summer night as the men had hauled fresh hay into the barn during the day the boys wanted to take quilts and sleep out on the fresh hay. Jack begged to go along, but he didn't get on top of the hay. Instead he slept near the door of the harness room. About 5 a.m. a big grey mare discovered the door was open and walked through to the hay and stepped in Jack’s stomach. The older boys heard him cry and rushed to his aid. They carried him to the house. I was still in bed and heard papa and a neighbor Mark Bleak administering to him. I couldn't imagine what had happened. They sent for the doctor. There were no broken bones, the skin wasn't even broken but was badly bruised. The doctor said to keep him in bed for a few days and just feed him liquids. How we all prayed that he would get well and have no bad effects. Aunt Mable said she fed him liquids for several days then on Sunday she made a freezer of Ice Cream while the family were at church. He begged to have some and she was afraid it might not be good for him. She finally gave in and before the family returned he had eaten 3 dishes of ice cream. At dinner time he asked for ice cream. Dad was a afraid it might not be good for him when Jack announced that he had already had 3 dishes. So he had another ice cream and it seemed to be good for him. It probably cooled the fever in his stomach. It wasn't long before he was running around as usual.
Jack could always sing and loved to hear Mabel tell stories. He came in one day and said a bear was after him. She asked how it sounded and he made a noise like a Coyote. She told him that wasn't a bear and told him how bear growled. He said that was the way it sounded. She was pealing onions one day and the tears were running down her face. He thought she was crying so he told her a story about the goat that coughed up the shirt and flagged the train to make her laugh. The tear still came and he said oh heck – she’s still crying.
Grandma Leavitt came to visit and brought just enough pomegranates so each could have just one. Jack wanted to eat his before the other kids came in. It was so good he wanted another one. She explained there were just enough for one each. He said she was a mean woman she would go to hell. Then she took a bucked and went to pick tomatoes. He followed her thinking it over and told her he guessed he didn't wand resurrection day to come because he didn't wants her to go to hell she wasn't a bad woman anyway.
Jack attended school in Logandale. We used to walk 2 miles to school. Sometimes we rode a burro called Old Yanny.
Jack was 10 years old when the family moved to Hawbush, Millard County, Utah. We had a new ranch and were to raise alfalfa seed. We really pioneered. The ground was new virgin soil covered with sage bush so we really started from scratch.
Papa and the boys except Aunt Mabel's little ones (Don, Clyde, and Ned) left the valley with wagons and teams and what furniture etc they could bring. They stayed in Kanosh overnight on their way to Duchesne Co. Mr. Frank Porter met papa and talked to him about the new development at Hawbush and vicinity and how great it was going to be and persuaded him to go on his new ranch for wages. They built a grainery in which the family spent the first winter. It was a lumber bldg. lined inside out with heavy builders paper. There were two rooms downstairs, two rooms upstairs a room for the boys and a room for me. We had to climb a ladder to get to the attic.
It was a cold winter and we had to keep a fire going day and night. We had a small heater upstairs. There was a fairly large all purpose room and bedroom for papa and aunt Mabel's little ones. We lived there until a new home was built. Papa built a very nice frame house with plenty f room and nice built in features. It had a full basement three bedrooms, a bath, large kitchen, dining room and living room. We surely appreciated that home after being crowded in the grainery.
Mabel didn't come with the family as she was expecting. Fred was born in St George in Nov. 1919. Papas went back for them in a Ford they had purchased. I joined them in early Oct. after being in Salt Lake and Payson all summer. So I had things pretty well organized when Mabel came. Mrs. Foot a neighbor, taught school first year at Hawbush. After this we had a man teacher and others.
Jack graduated from the 8th grade and had to go to Fillmore for exams (final) and Jack passed the highest grades in the exam and was given special recognition.
In about 1925 the family moved to Abraham, Utah and Jack attended high school in Hinckley.
The kids all worked on the ranch as they grew up. We didn't have luxuries but always had plenty to eat and to wear. We were a happy family. We always had a lots of house guests that were fed and entertained by Aunt Mabel.